July Finds

From sweet treats, to collagen-rich bone broth, and book recommendations. Plus a more substantive section: a discussion on the border crisis.

Jul 21, 2024

Healthy Ice Cream Recipes

It’s apparently the summer of the Ninja CREAMi. After enjoying my friend Pascale’s delicious homemade ice cream (ingredients: coconut milk, cacao, maple syrup, pinch of salt, sprinkled with hazelnuts, and melted Hu chocolate), I was properly influenced to buy the Ninja device. That sweet treat recipe and the following have inspired me.

Natural Wine at Whole Foods

I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find some great natural wines at Whole Foods. My local store in Phoenix carries both Raventos i Blanc Blanc de Blancs 2021 (a favorite for special occasions) & 2020 Rémi Larroque "Gaillacoise" Pet Nat (a super enjoyable summer option).

During a recent trip to Texas, I discovered Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco Di Sorbara Vecchia Modena 2022 on the shelves (drink this lovely sparkling red chilled).

Keep your eyes peeled.

Bone Broth & More

I love grabbing beef bones from Arcadia Meat Market in Phoenix to make broth. I added beef tendons this time for an extra dose of gelatin and collagen at the butcher's recommendation.

My process is simple: throw the bones and tendons in an Instant Pot with filtered water, add a tablespoon of ghee and some salt for flavor, and slow cook for 4+ hours. I like having broth on hand to sip and to use as the liquid base for rice (makes it extra fluffy) and beans.

As for eggs, most chickens from traditional sources eat GMO corn and soy. I appreciated finding this pasture-raised “with the goodness of grass” option.

NYT Book List

The NYT published a list of “The 100 Best Books of the 21st Century”. While I certainly haven’t read all 100 books, below are my favorites from those I have alongside their ranking from the article.

#1. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
#2. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
#3. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
#4. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
#6. Educated by Tara Westover
#7. Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
#8. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
#12. The Overstory by Richard Powers
#28. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
#35. The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese (same author as Cutting for Stone)
#52. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
#83. Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
#86. The Life of Pi by Yann Martel
#89. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Worth a Listen

Sheriff Mark Lamb - Fixing the Border Crisis & Defending the Constitution

This was an eye-opening discussion on the reality of the border crisis and the immense control and wealth the Mexican cartels have amassed as a result.

Takeaways:

Preamble to the United States Constitution: "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice…”
Lamb’s call to run for public office: “All great and honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and both must be enterprised and overcome with answerable courage.” - William Bradford as quoted by Lamb.
The cartels’ funds from human and drug trafficking increased from $500 million in 2020 to an estimated $13 billion – yes, billion – in 2021 and beyond (as quoted by Lamb and discussed in a Committee on Homeland Security’s report).
The open border has allowed the cartels to grow their business with an influx of worldwide funds. While an “open” border, the cartels still have immense control and track those entering from Mexico, charging almost everyone crossing to the United States.
Cartels used to smuggle people themselves; now with increased funds they can recruit (usually through social media) and pay Americans to do the work. Minors are especially targeted as less likely to face criminal charges if caught.
- Paid per person smuggled, for example, $1k per person with multiple people per vehicle.
Influx of money has increased the cartels’ number of military weapons and overall operations.
Ability to multiply “sales” - can sell a woman or child several times (they must pay off cartel fees through sex work or labor).
150,000 unaccompanied minors through the border each year, and 100,000 of these minors are unaccounted for (as quoted by Lamb).
32 million reports of CSAM – Child Sexual Abuse Material – in 2023 to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; compared to 4 million reports in 2014 (as quoted by Lamb, numbers vary some by source).
An estimated 8/10 women are raped coming across the border (as quoted by Lamb).
A discussion on the necessary measures currently needed to maintain lawfulness. Proverb quoted by Lamb: “The sheep will spend its entire life fearing the wolf, only to be eaten by the shepherd.”